Sheep stuck on ledge over river with 20ft drop saved by rescuers

The sheep stuck on ledge 20ft above River Great Ouse. Picture: RSPCA (Image: RSPCA)

The animal was first seen by passers by as they walked by the River Ouse at The Causeway in Stowbridge, King's Lynn.

He was stuck on a ledge under the bridge and with the tide beginning to come in, the situation was becoming more and more risky for him.

Luckily the callers contacted the RSPCA along with the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and contacted the farmer after the incident on Sunday, May 20.

RSPCA inspector Jon Knight said: 'This poor sheep needed our help and with fire and rescue's special water rescue equipment, we knew what we had to do to get him to safety.

The sheep stuck on ledge 20ft above River Great Ouse. Picture: RSPCA (Image: RSPCA)

'At first he was quite nervous and he managed to move himself further along the ledge, but the river was rising quite rapidly as the tide started to come in and the flow of the water was quite rapid, so we had to act fast.

'Norfolk Fire and Rescue launched a boat and a raft and together in two crews, they reached the sheep and managed to encourage him down to the water, where he was able to swim safely back to the riverbank while being followed and closely monitored.

'The farmer returned him to the flock and I'm pleased to say he was none the worse for wear after his ordeal.

'We really don't know how he came to be on the ledge, it's most likely he got a little bit too curious, and found himself in a situation he couldn't get himself out of.

'I'm really grateful for the help we received from Norfolk Fire and Rescue, and was pleased we were able to assist and see him safely back to his flock.'

If you see an animal in distress, you can call the RSPCA's emergency line on 0300 1234 999.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing animals, donate by visiting www.rspca.org.uk/give.